[CLOSED] a little nighttime misadventuring

[wheretheferngrows]

WHO: Fern + Nari, Korrin, Simon, Cade, Sorrel, Beleth
WHAT: Recovering the stone markers from the Chantry forest.
WHEN: Backdated to a bit earlier in the month.
WHERE: Night in Hightown, the Gallows
NOTES: None currently, will update as needed.

I. HIGHTOWN - NIGHT TIME

This is probably the first and last time that Fern is going to plan something this risky, because as it is, her stomach feels like it’s full to bursting with butterflies and she’s spooked by even the slightest sound coming from the surrounding streets. She has her back plastered to a shadowed wall that provides her and the rest of her friends--co-conspirators?--a bit of cover, while still giving them a good view of the Chantry forest.

“Oh,” she breathes, her nerves most certainly getting the better of her, and presses her face into her palms, “this was a terrible idea.”

[OOC: Please keep all replies to one thread, and limit yourself to 1 or 2 replies a day so that other people don't get lost in the shuffle. Also, the end result of this thread should be 1) the recovery of the 3 stone markers, and 2) escaping while (narrowly) avoiding detection. PM me if you’ve got any questions!]


II. THE GALLOWS - SPEAKING TO BELETH

[TBD once the above thread has made a bit of progress.]

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

"Cade?" Korrin raises her eyebrows upon hearing that; any other name would have made more sense, in her eyes. But this is for Sina and Nari as well; whatever the latter wants will happen, even if she's baffled by it.

[paladingus]

Simon is here at Fern's request, and unaware as yet that Cade will be coming at Nari's, but given the reasoning that's been explained to him, it seems that it can only help to have two human agents on hand for the air of legitimacy, and at least one of them in full templar armor.

He doesn't anticipate needing the armor, and has left the greatsword behind, but he knows he can't underestimate its value for appearance's sake. Nobody bothers him on his way into Hightown. The worst he gets is a lingering glance that still accompanies a polite nod of acknowledgment. Only when he gets within a street of the designated hidden meeting place does his confident gait slow down, and he begins to think he should be more cautious. He approaches softly, to keep any jingling of mail and plate quiet, as the dim shapes of the group appear in the distance.

[onlyhymns]

Nobody bothers Cade either, though he isn't dressed as a Templar. He just looks like a civilian in a warm winter coat, slinking out from behind Simon, by whom he was almost completely obstructed and content to be so in their approach.
"What's the matter," he whispers to Simon when he slows, glancing quickly around for danger like an overzealous rabbit.

[wheretheferngrows]

Fern spots Simon first--because of course she does, how could she miss him, barge-shaped as he is? "There," she says softly to Nari, Sorrel and Korrin, then blinks when Cade emerges from behind Simon like a hare about to spook. Him? She recognizes him from Llomerryn, but--well, if Nari trusts him, then Fern will, too.

She creeps out of the shadows just enough to be seen by Simon and waves him over. (c'mere dude)

[nadasharillen]

"Patrol," says Nari abruptly, her eyes still trained hawklike on the street. Though her voice is quiet, she's pitched it to cut through the still air. A moment later, the first flickers of torchlight appear.

[gatheringstorm]

Her gaze following Nari's, Korrin narrows her eyes. She goes still, knowing that of anyone here she's likely to be spotted first...but that's okay. If her only role in this is to be a big, loud distraction, she'll take it as long as the job gets done.

[paladingus]

Speaking of big loud distractions, Simon is trying his damnedest to be precisely the opposite of one, contrary to usual practice--and were the patrol nowhere nearby, he would be able to get over to where Fern is beckoning without incident, and keep Cade sheltered behind him in the meantime.

But he has no such luck, can't make it over in time, and he's going to have to improvise. He hates improvising.

Rather than away from the torchlight, he ambles toward it, gesturing for Cade to follow, aiming to intercept the guardsmen and keep their gaze directed away from the others. "Good to see you," he tells them, as if he's out for leisurely walks in Hightown every night. Refuge in audacity is the best plan he can think of, and he doesn't think he'll have to keep it up for too long.

[onlyhymns]

Cade is beckoned successfully, and straightens a bit to walk by Simon in a way that's less overtly shady. He still finds that his heart is hammering in his chest as they get closer to the guards, but Simon is good at this kind of thing, so he has faith in him. They don't need to distract them for too long.
He nods a greeting to the guardsmen as well, relieved that it's dark so they won't see how nervous he is.

[writteninblood]

Sorrel touches Nari's shoulder again, as the guards turn to engage Simon and then Cade in stilted conversation.

"While they're distracted?" He murmurs, too quiet to be overheard. Should they go now, then, or wait? Authority is one thing, but Nari is the expert hand here.

[wheretheferngrows]

Korrin's role is most assuredly back-up, just in case the absolute worst comes to past. (Also, just moral support. Fern truthfully can't imagine doing this without her.)

Fern watches Simon and Cade with wide eyes, but there's nothing approaching fear in her expression now--just determination, trying to gauge the right moment before ducking out into the street.

"Nari, now?" she whispers, looking back at her friend earnestly.

[nadasharillen]

She waits, watching, a little longer than is comfortable for those who aren't used to this kind of work. Until the guards are engrossed enough in the conversation that their stances have settled, rather than just stopping briefly in passing.

Then--

"Fern, Sorrel. Go."

She motions up the street and across, where the shadows are a bit deeper. Once they've started, she pitches her voice towards Korrin. "Ready? Once they're across, it's us."

[gatheringstorm]

Glancing over to Fern and Sorrel, Korrin then nods to Nahariel. Whatever misgivings she might have about her own stealthiness, she squashes them down. It's time to focus and just do her best.

She likewise pitches her voice low, barely audible. "Ready when you are, Nari. Don't worry, I'll be right there with you."

[wheretheferngrows]

She needs no more instruction than that. Quickly glancing Sorrel's way, she then turns and darts out into the street like a hare pursued by some predator, keeping as close to the shadows as she can. She slips into the brush and then turns, her heart thundering in her ears, to see if Sorrel is following.

[writteninblood]

Sorrel is right beside her, crossing on silent, bare feet. When she stops, he continues for half a step, pulling at Fern to move her a little deeper into the shadows.

"Don't stand here and look where the light can catch your eyes, come on," He whispers, "They'll be right behind us."

[nadasharillen]

As soon as Sorrel and Fern dip into the forest, Nari's eyes are back on the guards. No movement yet, and they're not yet antsy to re-start their patrolling. She turns to meet Korrin's eyes and then nods, making a quick gesture to follow.

She takes a similar path through the shadows, although opting to go slightly out of the way to get deeper cover for Korrin.

Once across, she looks briefly at the two Templar through her peripherals--so her eyes don't catch the light--her gaze lingering briefly before turning into the forest, wetting her lips, and whistling a Planasene nightbird call.

[gatheringstorm]

Worried that she'll give them away, Korrin darts across as quickly and quietly as she can manage, emphasis on the quickly part. The horns will stand out, and it won't matter how quiet she is if she's spotted. Only when she's across does she let out the breath she's been holding. Not having the issue Nahariel does, she glances over directly, though is quick to follow her into the forest.

[wheretheferngrows]

For a moment Fern looks back at Sorrel in bewilderment before she remembers, and quickly darts her eyes to the ground. Here in the dark she can see clearly, but the eyes that give her sight may also give her away.

"Sorry," she whispers breathily to Sorrel and follows his lead, disappearing further into the forest until they can meet up with Nari and Korrin together. At that whistle tries to peek towards where Cade and Simon are without giving herself away, and hopes that they are still able to keep the guards distracted.

"We should find the stones," she whispers to the others.